ALBANY
I
"Another Colony, I read the page in your paper devoted to Old Hongkong with great interest.
I see in to-day's paper mention of the "Albany" and a suggestion that it was built in the "seventies." I should say more probably in the "fifties." The Block was certainly there in the "Sixties" as private dwelling houses. They were originally built for barracks and the two houses which now form the Canossa Hospital were officers' quarters. Where Queen's Gardens now stands, still known to the Chinese as Ma Cho Yuen (Horse Grass Garden), was a waste piece of land on which grass was grown for the army horses. The "Albany" was bought by Mr. Charles May, Captain Superintendent of Police, and I believe the property is still owned by his descendants. Mr. May I believe brought out the first contingent of European Police. He wore a dark green uniform, and the name luk yee (green clothes) is still in use by the majority of Chinese."
It will be recalled that a photograph of "The Albany", above the Botanical Gardens, probably taken in the Sixties, was published some time ago, and a comment was made that little was known of the history of this old building. (see 3-7-33). Various surmises were subsequently made, and it was suggested by a correspondent that the premises date back to the Fifties, and were originally barracks. This I am now able to confirm. A search of old deeds shows that "The Albany" was Government property up to 1882, and had been classed as a "Government Building" as far back as 1857. In 1858 and 1859 one of the Government Officials living there (in No. 1) was the Trade Commissioner. In 1860 we find that the two central houses of the block (Nos. 2 and 3) were used as a Chinese Girls School, no rent being charged by the Government. In 1862 the property was sold, and a Crown Lease of that date was granted to the two purchasers, one of whom was Mr. Charles May, a former Superintendent of Police (see 8-7-33)
The actual year that "The Albany" was erected is not yet traced, but an old military map exists, dated 1853, which has the premises marked thereon as the "Albany Barracks". (probably officers' quarters). This makes the block certainly eighty years old! It is presumed that after a few years occupation, the military authorities handed the property over to Government for use as quarters for civil officials. One of the occupants in 1858 was Dr. H. F. Hance, who has been mentioned in these notes (27-7-33) as one of our old-time botanists.
15
ALBANY
I
"Another Colony, I read the page in your paper devoted to Old Hongkong with great interest.
I see in to-day's paper mention of the "Albany" and a suggestion that it was built in the "seventies.” should say môre probably in the "fifties." The Block was certainly there in the "Sixties" as private dwelling houses. They were originally built for barracks and the two houses which now form the Canossa Hospital were officers' quarters. Where Queen's Gardens now stands, still known to the Chinese as Ma Cho Yuen (Horse Grass G arden), was a waste piece of land on which grass was grown for the army horses. The "Albany" was bought by Mr. Charles May, Captain Superintendent of Police, and I believe the property is still owned by his descendants. Mr. May I believe brought out the first contingent of European Police. He wore a dark green uniform, and the name luk yee (green clothes) is still in use by the majority of Cinese."
It will be recalled that a photograph to "The Albany", above the Botanical Gardens, probably taken in the Sixties, was published some time age, and a comment was made that little was known of the history of this old building. (see 3-7-33). Various surmises were subsequently made, and it was suggested by a correspondent that the premises date back to the Fifties, and were originally barracks. This I am now able to confirm. A search of old deeds shows that "The Albany" was Government property up to 1882, and had been classed as a "Government Building" as far back as 1857. In 1858 and 1859 one of the Goverment Officials living there (in No. 1) was the Trade Commissioner. In 1860 we find that the two central houses of the block (Nos. 2and 3) were used as a Chinese Girls School, no rent being charged by the Government. In 1862 the property was sold, and a Crown Lease of that date was granted to the two purchasers, one of whom was Mr. Charles May, a former Superintendent of Police (see 8-7-33)
The actual year that "The Albany" was erected is not yet traced, but an old military map exists, dated 1853, which has the premises marked thereon as the "Albany Barracks". (probably officers' quarters). This makes the block certainly eighty years old! It is presumed that after a few years occupation, the military authorities handed the property over to Government for use as quarters for civil officials. One of the occupants in`1858 was Dr. H. F. Hance, who has been mentioned in these notes (27-7- 33) as one of our old-time botanists.
15
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